Photoshop Smart Objects. When?

[PeterCTucker]

Right now I'm working with the trial version of Affinity Photo 2. 

I tried bringing in a PSD that has a smart object with multiple layers. It works great after turning on "Settings -> Import PSD Smart Objects where possible."

So it looks like the functionality is there for editing Smart Object. However, looking at the right click menu for a layer there is no option to "Convert to Smart Object" like Photoshop.

What gives? I find it so strange that the functionality for editing Smart Objects are there, without the option to easily create them. I feel like this is such a basic feature for a non-destructive workflow. It's the one reason I moved away from Affinity Photo 1 and have yet to buy Affinity Photo 2. Photopea even has this feature.

I am aware of the workaround for embedding documents, but this seems so cumbersome compared to simply right clicking and "Convert to Smart Object"

Searching google '"Smart Object" site:https://forum.affinity.serif.com/' I can find user requests for this feature dating back to 2014/15. Any timeline on this?

[loukash]

3 hours ago, PeterCTucker said:

there is no option to "Convert to Smart Object" like Photoshop.

What gives?

It "gives" that unlike Schmotophop, in Affinity is every object/layer smart.